Cisco and Dimension Data target IoT and blockchain

A new agreement between Cisco and Dimension Data aims to transform ideas into viable, deployable solutions in key areas such as 5G, Internet of Things and blockchain.

The
co- innovation partnership is intended to develop a deeper collaboration
environment and framework that will assist in jointly solving clients’ business
needs. As a part of the multi-year understanding, the two organisations intend
to use Cisco’s worldwide system of Co-Innovation Centres to drive coordinated
efforts in transformational technologies.

It’s reassuring that the Internet of Things and blockchain both feature in the top four of KPMG’s recent Technology Industry Innovation Survey which identifies the technologies that have the greatest potential to drive business transformation and long-term value in companies over the next three years.

5G is set to transform global data transmission speeds, operating at, at least 100 times faster than current 4G networks and providing a huge boost to not only IoT but also other emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality and real time analytics. Cisco itself estimates that by 2022, 12% of global mobile traffic will be on 5G.

Dimension Data employs 28,000 people across 47 countries, offering services that range from consulting, technical and support through to a fully-managed service. And they are clearly excited by the new arrangement with Chief Technology Officer, Ettienne Reinecke, explaining that “…we’re in a stronger position to research, test and develop new offerings at a speed beyond the traditional market cycle. “By creating a deeper collaboration environment, we will share and leverage our intellectual property, including products and code, allowing us to move faster with a focus on applied innovation to challenge the art of the possible, which will result in some exciting innovations for our clients.”